SOMETHING IS MISSING IN ROMANIA
After accepting Jesus into my heart on New Years Eve in 1998, God began to prepare me to serve in international missions, which is basically sharing the love I found in Jesus Christ with other people in other nations through serving them sacrifically and with joy. After two short mission trips to the Dominican Republic, I began to pray more intensely about how to make a difference in other nations. Slowly, the Lord began to lead me to focus on serving the rejected. As I prayed about who to serve and where, the Lord revealed the Roma of Romania to me. In Europe, the Roma (derogatorily called "Gypsies") are a marginalized and rejected people group, many of whom live in Romania. After a vision trip to Medgidia, Romania, in January 2003, I sensed I should move there for a season. I returned to Medgidia in November that year as God prepared and equipped me to show the Romani (or "Romany") people (the Roma) of Romania the love and light of Jesus Christ.
Romania is a beautiful country, with incredible people who have suffered the deceit, corruption, and devastation of communism. Now, over twenty years after the fall of communism, Romania has made impressive strides toward overcoming the darkness of its past. Yet Romania also struggles as a country to move beyond remnants of communism, the impact of poverty and a general distaste for the Roma.
Medgidia is a small city in the southeast ( Dobrogea) region of Romania and is known for having one the highest unemployment rates in the country. Although major positive changes have occurred in Romania such as the fall of communism (1989) and the inclusion into the European Union (2007), the Roma of Medgidia continue to need the hope---the love and light---that comes through a relationship with Jesus. They need to know that like all of us, they are known completely and loved unconditionally by God. He has a plan and purpose for each of them.
The Roma of Romania are an intriguing, multi-faceted, magnificent, and often misunderstood people group. They are an interesting and resilient people who show amazing inner strength to withstand rejection and discrimination. Despite their ensnarement in and sometimes acceptance of the cycle of poverty, they care deeply about their children and face a questionable future. The Roma share an intense sense of community, family and passion for life. They have offered me generosity and hospitality unequaled throughout my travels. More than once, a Romani family has offered me their last piece of bread.